Saturday, December 01, 2007

I'm in Magknits!

This is so exciting, I'm in December 2007's Magknits for my pattern Excuses! I've made a lot of excuses during my life, but this is by far the best one (haha, I have been waiting months to say that line!) Scroll down past the pictures to read how to adjust the pattern.

I'd like to be able to say that I won't forget you all now that I've become an international superstar, but I'd just be raising false hopes. Just kidding, just kidding. I will happily sign a printout of the pattern for each and every one of you, with the certainty that you will lay it next to your pillows at night. Okay, let me stop. Hahaha, I promise I haven't been drinking (but that doesn't mean I won't start soon). :)

Okay, seriously, I'm really excited. It's my first time. No, no, don't speak, just hold me. (What is going on with me today? I think I haven't had enough to eat. Yeah, that's it.) My first time having a pattern published, that is. Oh, no, that's a lie, I do have a fingerless glove pattern in the Pattern a Day knitting calender for 2008. But this is a little different. I didn't even know that it would be in this month's issue, but got a congratulatory email on Ravelry (btw, y'all, I'm on Ravelry as "mwedzi". Please find me!).

Some additional shots:

It took me forever to get this shot, even though it's dark, so somebody's going to see it!:

And so you can see the shape flat:

Another shot that was hard to get. It is surprisingly difficult to get action shots of knits.

Oh, and a couple more notes about sizing that got edited out of the final copy. For bigger busts (C and up): The pattern has severe decreases to go from bust to underbust, so it is designed to cup your breasts. I designed this pattern specifically because I was tired of knits only doing side waste shaping and ignoring booby shaping. But if you are larger on top, choose the size that corresponds to your bust size and knit that size to the point of the bust decreases. If your arms don't get as big (relatively) as your breasts, stop the decreases for the arms when you reach the number of stitches for the sleeves of the next smallest size. Then start the bust decreases 1/2" earlier than called for in the pattern and do enough decreases to get to the number required for the next smallest size. Continue the pattern as written for the next smallest size.If you don't want as much negative ease: Simply choose the next size up. The pattern has 3" of negative bust ease. Notice, (clever me), that the sizes are also done in 3" increments. So if you want a sweater that simply skims your body, just go up to the next size (so that you knit your actual bust measurement, not the "to fit" measurement).

Okay, I have to go eat now, or give myself a tranquilizer, or something.

thanks! And if the negative ease scares you, you can make it with no negative ease by simply moving up one size. The negative ease is 3" and the sizes are in 3" increments, so going up a size just puts you at a body-skimming knit.

I just found your blog from Magknits, and I just loved reading your posts! I do hope that you will post more frequently in the future as you have great taste and wit! I can't wait to make your curvy tank top!

I am soooooo jealous. Not just because your a published knitting auteur but also because your pattern is gorgeous. I will add it to my list of stuff I want to do, right after I learn how to add the short rows necessary to make that top fit my tatas..s

It's a VERY pretty design! I came to your blog from the Magknits pattern - I think you should be very proud of this. It's beautifully fitted, and I love that it uses novelty yarn (which most of us claim to hate but somehow have in stash...) in a really lovely way that's not like "Look at me, I'm novelty yarn!"

I love this design! I actually want to knit it, and I very, very rarely knit from patterns. I can't remember the last time I saw a sweater pattern this flattering and adaptable. It would be a great way of using small amounts of gorgeous handspun.

Belated Congrats!I stop by from time to time on your blog. You are funny and your knittings are great. I have finally started knitting and I will hopefully knit my first sweater soon! "Excuses" is a wonderful sweater!

Hi, I sorry to email this way, but I recently got introduced to Magknits magazine, and I loved your 'Excuses' knit top, but before I could print the pattern the magazine was taken down, would you be willing to pdf me a copy of the pattern for free or a small fee? Thanks Tammy

I love the design and is on my list of to do's. I have found some wonderful specialty yarn that will work with this. I just need to decide on a worsted weight. I can't use Patons Wool because my hubby does the laundry and I know what would happen to the sweater of he washed it.